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Chatellerault M1924/29 Light Machinegun 7.5mm Caliber
This weapon was introduced in 1930 in its final form, and served in the French armed forces from 1930
clear into the mid-1950's when it was replaced by the AAT-F1 light machine gun.
The M1924/29 featured a top-loading 25rd Magazine and a cyclic rate of 500rpm. Quite popular wih Legionaires,
as it was easy to use in the roles of both LMG and Squad Automatic Weapon. This gun features a 2-trigger design. One trigger
alows for semi-automatic fire, while the other fires fully automatic.
| Chatellerault M1924/29 LMG in 7.5mm Caliber |
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MAT Mle 1949 Submachine Gun 9mm Caliber
This well-designed subgun was introduced in 1949 and first issued in 1950, becoming an
instant hit with French soldiers, especially those in airborne units, as the gun folds compactly and can be eaily restored
to action. Even though its high weight of approx. 8 pounds could be seen as a distractor, it also serves to make the gun virtually
jump free, and, even though strictly a full auto proposition, quite capable of tapping out single shots or accurate bursts
to a distance of around 100 yards.
| MAT Mle (19)49 9mm Submachine Gun |
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| A worthy replacement for the CEFEO's Sten Guns |
| MAS Mle 1950 Pistol in 9mm Caliber |
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| Part of the new weapons reaching the front in 1950 |
MAS mle. 1950 9mm Caliber Pistol
Another new entry in the French Arsenal was the entirely french designed and French built MAS 50 self-loading
pistol. Featuring a 9-round magazine, it may have not been the most inspired designs in firearms manufacture, but proved quite
popular due to its reliability, comfortable heft and coupling with the 9mm Luger Cartridge, giving it an edge over all previous
French handgun designs, which albeit clever, were all designed around some rather anemic cartridges, especially in situations
where killing your opponent was not near as urgent as stopping your opponent. While many Vietminh are reported to have carried
on for a bit after being shot by an MAB D or the 7.65 Long cartridge of the Mle. 1935 pistols, few had the ability to withstand
one or more 9mm hits.
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